EifelRadSchleife 1 "Treasures of the Eifel"

This route is varied and offers numerous facets. Close-to-nature sections in the Ahr tributary valleys, cycling traffic-free on the former railway line in the Ahr valley, scenic sections on the Eifel heights with views to the highest Eifel mountains and the historic town of Blankenheim. Also worth mentioning are the Kalk Eifel's outskirts that are of interest to nature lovers, with the juniper areas and calcareous grasslands around Ripsdorf. Much culture and history can also be seen in Nettersheim with its Roman past. The nature and cultural origins around Nettersheim are clearly explained in the Eifel nature center.

Highlights along the route:

• Historic town center of Blankenheim
• Eifel Nature Center in Nettersheim
• Upper Ahr valley

On the pages www.nordeifel-tourismus.de and www.eifelradschleifen.de you can find the GPX data of the tour for download.  

From the starting point in Blankenheim, we cycle leisurely on the Ahr cycle route first on the right and later on the left of the Ahr to the former railway line. Here we leave the Ahr cycle route and follow the forest path with a gentle incline along the Mülheimer Bach. The path accompanies the route of the former Ahr Valley railway and reaches the small village of Mülheim. The route leaves the village and leads steeply uphill onto the plateau. The following farm track runs along the B 51 but compensates with fantastic panoramic views deep into the Eifel. In clear weather, for example, Hohe Acht and Nürburg can be well seen. We quickly pass the industrial area on the height and can enjoy the descent into the Genfbach valley towards Nettersheim. The path first leads through the forest, later the valley opens up and again and again the view of the meandering stream is free. On the other side of the valley, the Ahe chapel is already visible from afar. A small detour is definitely recommended, because there is also an idyllic rest area at the chapel. The further path runs slightly downhill still in the valley. This means the center of Nettersheim is quickly reached. In the village we first cross the Genfbach and then the Urft, which accompanies the route for the next few kilometers. The Eifel Nature Center cannot be missed. Shortly after the exit from the village, several testimonies of Roman past await us. Via a short detour, for example, the remains of a small fort can be reached. The cycle path follows the wide Urft valley to Blankenheim (Wald) station. After a short section on the cycle path next to the federal road, the route leads steeply uphill onto the open plateau. Those who want to shorten the route here can follow district road 69 from junction 48 into the center of Blankenheim.

Those who want to complete the entire round now ride steeply down the little-used road into the Nonnenbach valley. Just as steeply, it goes uphill again on the other side of the valley. The following descent leads the cyclists into the Schaafbachtal. At the bridge over the stream, the cycle path leaves the district road and now follows the course of the stream on a farm track. The ascent to Hüngersdorf is short and steep. For some distance, the path remains on the open plateau, which again allows great distant views of the beautiful Eifel landscape, before it goes briefly downhill to Lampertsbach. Here we can discover the typical juniper bushes of the Kalk Eifel. Dollendorf on the plateau is now quickly reached. Now follows the longest descent of the round. On the road we can simply "let it run" into the Ahr valley. The following section on the Ahr cycle route constantly leads uphill, but the gradient percentages on the former railway line can be easily managed. The highlight of this section is the crossing of the valley on the bridge at Oberahreck. The round closes at the rest area known from the outbound journey, after a short, steep descent with an underpass of the former railway.

Blankenheim can now be quickly reached via the short branch on the Ahr cycle route that is already known from the outbound journey.

Finally, the historic town center of Blankenheim (with the Ahr spring) should definitely be visited. This is also easily possible without a bike, as the town center is only a few steps from the Schwanenweiher car park.